UNTIL recently, those wishing to impress business partners with a few rounds of golf had to wait in line to use Hong Kong's six busy, and expensive, courses. Now Hong Kong golfers are spoilt for choice with more than a dozen new clubs vying for their attention across the border in Southern China where lush golf courses have replaced what were once placid paddy fields.
The popularity of golf in the region has risen vastly in the past decade. There are more than 4,300 courses in Asia, and an annual growth rate of between 20 and 30 per cent for new course development makes golf the fastest growing sport in the region.
In China the rate of golf course development is now faster than many other countries, with new, bigger and better courses mushrooming in the countryside within close proximity to the rich golfers of Taiwan and Hong Kong who are prepared to travel to play on cheaper, and more exotic courses. While Hong Kong courses are played to capacity, cheap labour and abundant land ensure mainland courses are spacious and well tended. 'My experience [in China] is very good. Many of the courses have big hotels attached, the facilities and club houses are good and the grass is well trimmed. If China hadn't opened up, Hong Kong would really be stuck,' says Po Chung, chairman of DHL International and an avid golfer.
The development of golf in China has not proceeded without problems. A ban on golf was only lifted in 1978 and the game only took off in 1984. The first wave of clubs in China were beset by poor planning and speculation, but the central government stepped in to regulate course development. According to Alwin Tai of the China Golf Association, Beijing neither condones nor condemns what was until recently seen as a prime example of Western decadence. 'As long as a project is well-planned, environmentally sound and viable it will receive consideration,' Mr Tai says.
'China is currently undergoing a learning curve with regard to golf.' Only a year ago there were no public driving ranges in China, now there are three in Shenzhen alone. A translated copy of golf rules has sold 10,000 copies with another 20,000 at the printers to meet demand, and China has already produced two golf champions - Zhang Lain Wei and Cheng Jun.
'The incentive of tournament prize money will encourage young Asians to take up the game, and players like Tiger Woods show that Asians can play the sport,' said Mr Tai.
